Tallulah Falls cabins

Tucked into the northeastern corner of the scenic Georgia Mountains near the borders of Tennessee and South Carolina, Tallulah Falls is named after the cascading waterfalls of the Tallulah River. A town with a long history of attracting nature-loving visitors, this small Victorian settlement is a popular jumping-off point for exploring the dramatic scenery of the Tallulah Gorge State Park right on its doorstep.

Just north of the falls, the park’s Shortline Trail is one of the most accessible and serene ways to explore the Tallulah River, with three miles of paved trail that follow the Old Tallulah Falls Railroad bed. Much of the remaining 20 miles of hiking and biking trails lead up and alongside the falls, making them more physically strenuous. Experienced thrill-seekers can get a permit to go whitewater rafting during the twice-annual water release or climb the park’s vertiginous cliff faces for a unique perspective of the maple leaves turning crimson in the fall. Those in the know head up to Tallulah Point Overlook to admire the 1,000-foot gorge from the roadside, and the 45-minute drive into neighboring South Carolina is worth the trip for a laid-back day spent kayaking on Lake Tugalo or casting a line for largemouth bass.

The most popular time for visitors to come and see the majesty of Tallulah Falls is from late spring to early fall, when the temperature is usually mild and the humidity is relatively low, creating the perfect conditions for hiking and mountain biking amid the towering oaks and maples. The weekly Saturday Night Bluegrass Jam held in the town’s Bluegrass Square is perfect for music lovers. Late fall into winter is a quieter time to visit, and this is when the foliage in the park is at its most vibrant. To see the river at its most powerful, plan to arrive at your Tallulah Falls vacation rental during April and May or between September and November. Each weekend during these months, the power company releases extra water over the Tallulah Dam, showing off the full majesty of the gorge’s six cascades.

Gorge Floor Suspension Bridge

A suspension bridge hangs some 100 feet above the rocky floor of Tallulah Gorge. Only 100 crossing permits are allotted per day — river conditions permitting — so be sure to get there early if you want to see and feel the rush of the water beneath you. Be sure to look out for the towers used by tightrope walkers to cross over this powerful cascade. The Gorge Floor is closed during water releases.

Georgia State Park’s Geotour

Using GPS-enabled devices, you can participate in treasure hunting where you locate objects hidden by fellow adventurers. Georgia State Parks’ GeoTour for Tallulah Gorge sets you the challenge of hunting for treasures and secret code words to win a special coin from each region.

Kayaking through the rapids

Experienced whitewater kayakers travel to Tallulah Falls each November weekend to test their skills during the annual water release. On Saturdays, the water flow through the gorge is over ten times more powerful than on a typical day — and the rushing water doubles on Sundays. Spectators can watch the waterfall and the kayakers from a number of lookouts across the rim of the falls.